When the term “Imperial History” is discussed, a person probably thinks of the Austo-Hungarian Empire and the British Empire. However, in Dominic Lieven’s article, “Imperial History?” he defines the matter in a different context. Lieven writes that the United States of America is the current empire, the empire of the 20th-21st centuries. The USA has a continental market which is accompanied by a continental scale of resources, but the impact does not end their. In today’s society, America is the dominate force in the world today in the realms of global impact, world leadership, and even culture. The country’s politics and economics continue to set a standard for the rest of the world.
Lieven makes a persuasive argument that the USA did not chose to become an empire, the world chose it, in a sense. He defines the term empire as the “rule without consent over many alien peoples.” This does not fit the official foreign policy of America, but it does reflect the reality of the USA in the world community. If an empire is defined as providing goods and preserving peace on a large scale as Lieven describes it, then yes, the United States is an empire.
The USA has always been called a melting pot; it even has even melted the imperialistic styles of great empires together. America is similar to the modern capitalism of the Dutch and British empires. These empires, along with the United States created the global capitalistic economy in their respective times. In addition, the USA’s attitude towards ideology, culture, and political loyalty are consistent with the thought of the Roman and Ottoman Empires. Especially since outsiders are assimilated and provided with opportunities to reach positions of power.
Lieven has a simple definition empire, “a very great power which is crucial to the regional and global order of an era.” The USA economy is so intertwined in the world’s economy, that when the US market fumbles, the rest of the world feels its tremors. The United States never consented to be the empire of the century, but it holds that role and therefore must bear the burdens associated with the title and role.
It is an uncomfortable topic to think about now, but when will the American Empire end and how will the decline happen? And finally, who will be the next empire to hold the reigns?